Nick Marshall pressured more than any Auburn QB in seven years at Mississippi State

AUBURN --Nick Marshall felt more pressure than ever on Saturday in Starkville and it wasn't only because Auburn was playing catch-up all game long.

Mississippi State was credited with 13 hurries, the most for an Auburn opponents since MSU had 14 on Sept. 15, 2007.

"We've got to do a better job up front," Auburn offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. "They did a really good job. We knew they had a strong front that was good at, not necessarily running around you, but pushing guys back into them, and they did that."

Marshall was sacked three times, tying a career-high, and was rushed on more than a third of his drop backs.

"Obviously it affected a few throws," Lashlee said. "A couple of times we had to throw the ball earlier than we want. It's a total group effort."

In a critical individual matchup, MSU defensive end Preston Smith got the better of left tackle Shon Coleman on numerous occasions. Smith had four tackles, one sack and four hurries.

"He got the better of us a couple of times," Lashlee said.